A HILL-walker had to spend a night sleeping in a cow shed as he battled to beat storm-force gales and torrential rain to complete an endurance race that police urged organisers to cancel.

Neil Gregory, 28, was taking part in the Original Mountain Marathon in the Lake District which was called off just an hour after it started because of the horrendous weather conditions. However it was too late for Neil, of Irlams o’th’ Height, his friend Andy Reed, 26, of Timperley, and thousands of other participants who had already set off and had no way of knowing it had been cancelled.

Neil started the 10-mile short course on Saturday morning fully prepared for the bad weather with waterproofs, thermals and spare dry clothing but ended up sleeping in a barn with 450 other runners.

Neil, who was representing Greater Manchester West Scout Network, said: "We managed to do the whole course but it was hard work. Within an hour the wind had picked up and within three hours they had a months’ rainfall.

"We managed to do 10 miles in six hours and ended up at the overnight camp but we didn’t even attempt to put the tent up, we just stayed in the barn. We did the OMM last year in southern Scotland and it was a sunny weekend, and we will definitely do it again next year."

After the race it emerged organisers of the endurance event were urged to cancel by local people and the police. Some members of the public, who helped rescue competitors, said the incident could have resulted in a high number of deaths. Mark Weir, the manager of a slate mine where some 300 runners sort refuge said: "We have come within inches of turning the Lake District mountains into a morgue."

Superintendent Gary Slater, of Cumbria police, said he was ‘disappointed’ the race went ahead despite weather warnings. Thirteen people were taken to Mary Hewetson Cottage Hospital in Keswick suffering from the effects of hypothermia and various minor injuries.